Denture cleaner

ABSTRACT

A device ( 20 ) for cleaning dentures broadly includes a cup ( 21 ) adapted to hold a liquid (L), and a strainer ( 29 ) associated with the cup. The cup as an upper peripheral lip ( 24 ). The strainer ( 29 ) is a basket-like member having a foraminous bottom ( 30 ). The strainer is adapted to be lowered into the cup to submerge a denture contained within the strainer in the liquid. The strainer has at least one hook ( 35 ) that is adapted to selectively engage the cup lip ( 24 ) such that the strainer may be held in an elevated position relative to the cup such that liquid on the denture may drain into the cup.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to devices for cleaningdentures, and, more particularly, to an improved device in which astrainer is operatively arranged within a cup. The strainer is adaptedto be moved between a lowered position at which a denture may besubmerged in a liquid contained within the cup, and a raised position inwhich the strainer may be held on the cup in a overhead position suchthat liquid may drain from the strainer back into the cup.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Dentures are a boon for some and a bane for others. In any event,they must be cleaned periodically. It is known to submerge a denture ina liquid, and to thereafter soak the denture in the liquid for apredetermined period of time. However, when the denture is removed fromthe liquid, it would be generally desirable to drain excess liquid fromthe denture. At the same time, it would be desirable to avoid having toreach into the liquid to physically grasp the denture.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0003] With parenthetical reference to the corresponding parts, portionsor surfaces of the disclosed embodiment, merely for purposes ofillustration and not by way of limitation, the present invention broadlyprovides an improved device (20) for cleaning dentures.

[0004] In one aspect, the improved device broadly includes a cup (21)adapted to hold a liquid (L) and having an upper peripheral lip (24);and a strainer (29) operatively associated with the cup. The strainerhas a foraminous bottom (30) and is adapted to be lowered into the cupto submerge a denture (D) contained within in the strainer in the liquid(see FIG. 5). The strainer has at least one hook (35) adapted toselectively engage the lip of the cup such that the strainer may be heldin an elevated position relative to the cup such that liquid on thedenture may drain back into the cup (see FIG. 6). The strainer may alsohave an eye (34) to facilitate passage of a person's finger (not shown)such that the user will not have to reach into the liquid to grasp hisdentures.

[0005] In the preferred embodiment, the cup and strainer haveintermitting generally-polygonal profiles. A lid (26) may be pivotallymounted on the cup, and may be selectively movable between an openposition (see FIG. 6) at which a person may have access to the strainer,and a closed position (see FIG. 5). The lid may be connected to the cupby means of at least one living hinge (28). The eye comprises a liftingmember (33) mounted on the strainer to facilitate a person in graspingthe strainer.

[0006] In another aspect, the improved device (20) broadly comprises acup (21) adapted to hold a liquid (L) and having an upper peripheral lip(24); and a strainer (29) operatively associated with the cup. Thestrainer again has a foraminous bottom (30). The strainer is adapted tobe lowered into the cup to submerge a denture contained therein in theliquid (see FIG. 5), and is adapted to be held in an elevated positionrelative to the cup such that liquid on the denture may drain back intothe cup (see FIG. 6). The strainer may have a lifting member (33) tofacilitate a person in grasping the strainer.

[0007] Accordingly, the general object of the invention is to provide animproved device for cleaning dentures.

[0008] Another object is to provide an improved device for cleaningdevices having a cup and strainer, wherein the strainer is adapted to bereleasably held in an elevated overhead position such that excess liquidon the denture may drain back into the cup.

[0009] Still another object is to provide an improved device forcleaning dentures having a cup and strainer, and with means forfacilitating a person's grasp on the strainer such that the user doesnot have to stick his fingers into the denture cleaning liquid.

[0010] These and other objects and advantages will become apparent fromthe foregoing and ongoing written specification, the drawings and theappended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the improved device, with the lidshown as being in its closed position.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the device shown in FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the strainer.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the strainer shown in FIG. 3.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view thereof, takengenerally on line 5-5 of FIG. 1, showing the strainer as being in itslowered position within the cup.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a view generally similar to FIG. 5, but showing the lidas having been opened, and further showing the strainer as being held inits elevated position relative to the cup, such that liquid may drainback into the cup.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0017] At the outset, it should be clearly understood that likereference numerals are intended to identify the same structuralelements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the severaldrawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be furtherdescribed or explained by the entire written specification, of whichthis detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwiseindicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching,arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with thespecification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire writtendescription of this invention. As used in the following description, theterms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, aswell as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g.,“horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to theorientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawingfigure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly”generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis ofelongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and, more particularly to FIGS.1-2 and 5-6 thereof, the present invention provides an improved device,generally indicated at 20, for cleaning dentures. In FIGS. 5 and 6, thedentures are graphically illustrated as being an object D.

[0019] The improved device is shown as broadly including a cup,generally indicated at 21, that is adapted to hold a liquid. In FIGS. 5and 6, the liquid level is indicated as being L. The cup is shown asbeing a somewhat polygonal member, when seen in top plan. When seen intransverse cross-section, the cup is shown as having a planar horizontalbottom portion 22, and is provided with a generally upstandingperipheral wall 23 terminating in an uppermost peripheral lip 24. Asnoted above, when seen in top plan, the cup has a generally triangularshape, with a rounded forward edge, indicated at 25 in FIG. 1. A cover,generally at indicated at 26, is joined to the cup by means of threehorizontally-spaced living hinges, severally indicated at 28. The coverhas an appropriate recess into which the upper peripheral lip of the cupmay be received to cause the cover to snap into engagement with the lip.This provides a substantially liquid-tight seal when the cover isclosed.

[0020] The device is shown as further including a basket-like strainer,generally indicated at 29. As best shown in FIG. 3, the strainer has aplanar horizontal bottom 30 provided with a plurality of holes,severally indicated at 31. Thus, the bottom of the strainer basket isforaminous. The strainer also has a peripheral side wall 32 whichgenerally simulates the polygonal outline or profile of the cup. Amember 33 rises upwardly from the rear of the strainer. Member 33 has ahole 34 which is adapted to receive insertion of a person's finger.Thus, a user may insert his finger through hole 34 to facilitate hisgrasp on the strainer basket.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5, te strainer is adapted to be lowered into thecup to submerge a denture contained within the strainer in the liquid.However, the strainer has at least one hook, generally indicated at 35.As best shown in FIG. 6, hook 35 is arranged to selectively engage theperipheral cup lip 24 such that the strainer basket may be held in anelevated position relative to the cup such that liquid on the denturemay drain back into the cup. There may be one hook, or a plurality ofhooks, depending on the particular design. Thus, the basket isassociated with the cup for selective movement between a loweredposition at which the strainer basket simply rests on the bottom of thecup, with an object contained in the strainer basket being submerged inthe liquid, and an alternative raised or elevated position, such asshown in FIG. 6, to allow liquid within the strainer basket and on theobject to drain down through the foraminous bottom of the strainerbasket into the cup.

[0022] Modifications

[0023] The present invention contemplates that many changes andmodifications may be made. For example, the shape and configuration ofthe cup member may be changed or varied, as desired. While the preferredform is shown as having a complementarity-configured strainer that fitswithin the profile of the cup in only one relative angular positiontherebetween, this need not invariably obtain. For example, in analternative design, the cup might be polygonal profile, and the strainermight have a polygonal outline, or vice versa. Similarly, while it isdesired that the device have a cover or lid, and preferably one thatlockingly interfits with the cup, this is not invariable. Such a covermight be completely detachable from the cup. Indeed, the cover mightpossibly be omitted altogether. Thus, the living hinge, disclosed in thepreferred embodiment, is only one specific form of the invention.Similarly, while the preferred embodiment is shown as having an eye tofacilitate a person's grasp on the strainer, this structure may readilybe changed. For example, a tab, or some other means or mechanism tofacilitate a person's grasp might alternatively be used. The materialsof construction are not deemed to be particularly critical, and mayreadily be changed or desired. In the preferred embodiment, a suitableflavorant is molded integrally with the cup to increase the aromaticappeal of the device.

[0024] Therefore, while the presently preferred form of the improveddevice as been shown and described, and several modifications thereofdiscussed, persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate thatvarious additional changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, as defined anddifferentiated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for cleaning dentures, comprising: a cupadapted to hold a liquid, said cup having an upper peripheral lip; and astrainer operatively associated with said cup, said strainer having aforaminous bottom and being adapted to be lowered into said cup tosubmerge a denture in said strainer in said liquid, said strainer havingat least one hook adapted to selectively engage said cup lip such thatsaid strainer may be held in an elevated position relative to said cupsuch that liquid on said denture may drain into said cup.
 2. A devicefor cleaning dentures as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cup andstrainer have interfitting polygonal profiles.
 3. A device for cleaningdentures as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a lid pivotallymounted on said cup, and wherein said lid is selectively movable betweenan open position at which a person may have access to said strainer anda closed position.
 4. A device for cleaning dentures as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said lid is connected to said cup by a living hinge. 5.A device for cleaning dentures as set forth in claim 1 and furthercomprising a lifting member mounted on said strainer to facilitate aperson in grasping said strainer.
 6. A device for cleaning dentures asset forth in claim 5 wherein said lifting member includes an eye.
 7. Adevice for cleaning dentures as set forth in claim 6 wherein said eyeextends upwardly from said strainer.
 8. A device for cleaning dentures,comprising: a cup adapted to hold a liquid, said cup having an upperperipheral lip; and a strainer operatively associated with said cup,said strainer having a foraminous bottom, said strainer being adapted tobe lowered into said cup to submerge a denture in said strainer in saidliquid and adapted to be held in an elevated position relative to saidcup such that liquid on said denture may drain into said cup, andwherein said strainer has a lifting member to facilitate a persongrasping said strainer.
 9. A device for cleaning dentures as set forthin claim 8 wherein said lifting member includes an eye.
 10. A device forcleaning dentures as set forth in claim 9 wherein said eye extendsupwardly from said strainer.